Matchbook



1966 T. J. GREER, JR 3,283,884

MATCHBOOK Filed Sept. 27, 1965 United States Patent 3,283,884 MATCHBOOK Thomas J. Greer, Jr., Warner Bldg., Washington, DC. Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,304 6 Claims. ((11. 206-29) This invention relates to a package and more particularly to a package of matches such as commonly known as book matches. Still greater particularity identifies the invention as one embodying the combination of a book of matches with a sound producing disc or the like integrally associated therewith. The sound producing device performs the dual functions of storing the information defining a word or musical message and serving as a vibrating membrane to create and direct the sound. waves produced by the disc.

The prior art is aware that the reproduction of sound may be accomplished by providing the equivalent of a vibrating membrane with a track having undulations therein, with a stylus or the like being run over the undulations in the track to excite the membrane. This is shown, by way of example, in US. Patent 2,997,306 to Hicks. The prior art is further aware of the combination of a sound producing means, in the form of a phonograph record, associated with a container or the like, this being demonstrated by US. Patents 1,480,860; 1,464,827 and 2,020,381. In these latter three patents, a phonograph record of conventional construction is simply carried by or affixed to a container and the record removed for playback on a conventional phonograph device. The prior art is also aware that a match book may serve a function other than that of simply holding matches, as shown, for example, in US. Patent 2,271,155 wherein the match book contains a writing instrument and a pad of paper for writing purposes.

In 'considering these and other contributions to this field, it is apparent that the prior art has failed to recognize the desirability of the combination of a match book and a sound storing and reproduction device integrally associated therewith. Such a device exhibits utility, apart from the utility of the match book itself, as an advertising novelty.

According to the practice of the present invention, a match book of otherwise generally conventional construction is provided with a disc in one flap thereof with the disc containing a track, which may be in the form of a groove, having undulations therein representing a spoken or musical message or the like with the message being played back by simply grasping the match book in the hand of the user and running a suitable stylus over the undulations to thereby set up vibrations in the disc and in the stylus.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a match book according to the present invention grasped in the left hand of a user.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a match book according to this invention showing the cover flap extended so as to lie in the same plane as the back flap.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective cut-away view showing a portion of the sound track in the vibratory disc shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURES 4A, 4B and 4C are views taken along line 44 of FIGURE 2 and show variations of construction.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4A, 4B and 4C and showing yet another modification.

FIGURE 6 is a view of a match book according to the present invention showing one mode of utilizing the invention as a novelty advertising device.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10 denotes generally a match book according to the present invention and is provided with a match striking surface 12, a back flap 14, an intermediate web portion 16 and a cover or front flap 18. A plurality of matches 20 are attached to the match book 10 in a conventional manner. The numeral 22 denotes generally a thin disc or sheet formed of plastic or metal and containing a spiral groove therein with the surfaces of the groove provided with undulations. These undulations are denoted by the numeral 26 in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. It will be observed, with reference to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, that the disc 22 includes an outermost peripheral portion 23 sandwiched between portions of the front fiap 18. As is well known to workers in this art, front flap 18 and the back flap 14 are generally formed of cardboard. In its fabrication, the entire cardboard covering of the match book may be formed from two layers which, when sandwiched together, form the entire flap and parallel lip portions 19 (FIGURES 4A and 4B) sandwich the periphery 23 therebetween. Any suitable adhesive, such as epoxy, may be employed for affixing the peripheral portion 23 between the lip portions 19. This construction yields a somewhat neater appearance than simply affixing the periphery 23 to one surface of flap 18.

As illustrated at FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a stylus 28, also formed of plastic, metal or wood and having a sharpened point may be affixed to the book at its place of manufacture and subsequently removed to function as a stylus. Thus, either a stylus such as 28 of FIG. 2 or a common mechanical or wooden pencil 30 of FIGURE 1 may be employed as a stylus. In operation, the user grasps the match book in its open position as illustrated at FIGURE 1 with the left hand and the right hand places the tip of whatever stylus is employed at enlarged recess portion 25 of the inner whorl of spiral groove 24. Proceeding in a clockwise manner, the stylus tip engages and runs over the undulations 26 of groove 24 causing the disc 22 to vibrate. Depending upon the particular stylus employed, additional vibrations are set up in the stylus to contribute to the amplitude of the reproduced sound. It will be apparent that the undulations 26 may be formed in any convenient manner, such as the manner illustrated in the above-mentioned patent to Hicks, and may also extend above the surface of disc 22.

Referring now to FIGURE 4B, the disc 22 may also be provided on both of its faces with a spiral groove 24 to thereby double the information content of the match book. Referring now to FIGURES 4C and 6, the exterior portion of flap 18 may be uninterrupted while the interior portion may mount the disc 24 in the manner shown at FIGURE 4C. In this embodiment, printed advertising may cover the entire exterior portion of front flap 18a. While the disc 22 is somewhat constrained against vibratory movement in this embodiment, the advantage of greater advertising space may be achieved thereby.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 of the drawings, still another embodirnent is illustrated wherein the flap 18 and disc 22 are integral. The :disc 22 is here formed of plastic the flaps 18 and 14 also being formed entirely of plastic. It will be observed that narrowed neck portion 32 defines a continuous circular groove in the cover 18. By virtue of the narrow neck portion 32, the vibrations of the disc or membrane 22 are not greatly influenced by their transmission to back flap 18 and subsequent reflection to the disc.

For greater fidelity of reproduction of the information stored by the undulations 26, a skirted and also preferably stiff disc 34, shown in dashed lines at FIGURE 4A, may be integrally attached to disc 22 to thereby define a closed chamber. This results in both discs undergoing vibration upon actuation by a stylus.

In this as well as in the other illustrated and described embodiments, the disc 22 is not limited to a circular configuration. It will be noted that the disc 22 is formed of a material having a greater modulus of elasticity than the material which forms the flaps. Only in the embodiment of FIGURE 5 are the moduli the same.

What is claimed is:

1. A match book having a plurality of matches removably mounted therein and having back and front flaps, a stiff sheet adapted to execute vibratory motion, said sheet having a surface portion thereof provided with undulations corresponding to information recorded thereon, said sheet being mounted .on and carried by one of said flaps.

2. The match book of claim 1 wherein said match book carries a stylus demountable therefrom.

3. The match book of claim 1 wherein said undulations are located in a groove in the surface of said sheet.

4. The match book of claim 1 wherein the periphery of 4 said sheet is sandwiched between parallel portions of said flap.

5. The match book of claim 1 wherein said sheet is integrally connected with said flap upon which it is mounted by a closed boundary, said boundary being of lesser thickness than that of said flap.

6. The match book of claim 1 wherein said sheet forms one surface of a closed chamber.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,271,155 1/1942 Rapaport et al 206-29 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,236,171 6/ 1960 France.

THERON E. OONDON, Primary Examiner.

J. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MATCH BOOK HAVING A PLURALITY OF MATCHES REMOVABLY MOUNTED THEREIN AND HAVING BACK AND FRONT FLAPS, A STIFF SHEET ADAPTED TO EXECUTE VIBRATORY MOTION, SAID SHEET HAVING A SURFACE PORTION THEREOF PROVIDED WITH UNDULATIONS CORRESPONDING TO INFORMATION RECORDED THEREON, SAID SHEET BEING MOUNTED ON AND CARRIED BY ONE OF SADI FLAPS. 